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Tricky ties for Kotoko, Hearts
Premier league leaders, Asante Kotoko and traditional rivals, Hearts of Oak will seek to make amends when they face Accra Lions and Real Tamale United (RTU) respectively in their match-week 17 Ghana Premier League fixtures.
Kotoko on 33 points, were humbled 2-1 by bottom club Elmina Sharks and need a win to keep second-placed Bechem United on 29 points at bay, whilst also returning smiles to the faces of their teeming fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Incidentally, the ‘Porcupine Warriors’ have been ferocious at home, losing just once at home out of eight outings, proving their dominance on home turf.
On the contrast, Lions’ record on the road has been abysmal winning just once at away venues and despite the home side missing enterprising left-back, Imoro Ibrahim, the firepower in the fold of Coach Prosper Nartey Ogum spearheaded by Cameroonian strike force, George Mfegue and Franck Etouga seem certain to tame the Lions in today’s clash.
League champions Hearts, tottering in their league defence, will be eager to inject some enthusiasm into their campaign when they trek to Tamale to face the David Abagna-led, RTU tomorrow.
Occupying a disappointing sixth on the log and a gaping 10 points separating them and arch-rivals Kotoko, Hearts are aware winning at a dreaded venue like Tamale can resurrect their title defence.
Undoubtedly, that would be the focus of head coach Samuel Boadi, hunting for a win to wane off the pressure mounting around the security of his job.
With the availability of a talented pool comprising creative force, Gladson Awako, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Fatawu Mohammed, Enoch Asubonteng, Salim Adams and veteran, Sulley Ali Muntari, the visitors would be eager to provide ‘Phobian’ followers with some respite after losing 1-0 to city rivals Great Olympics on match-week 16.
They must, however, devise a strategy to contain RTU’s inspirational figure and league top marksman Abagna who has shown a tendency to wreak havoc when called upon.
In other games on Sunday, Bechem United will hope to continue their fairytale story when they engage in a mouth-watering derby affair against Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park; Great Olympics battle energized Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports Stadium with AshantiGold pitching their strength against Bibiani Gold Stars at the Obuasi Len Clay.
In Tarkwa, Medeama will welcome high-scoring Dreams to the Akoon Park; struggling WAFA will account for Karela United, whilst Aduana Stars contend Eleven Wonders in Dormaa.
On Monday, third-placed King Faisal, will be seeking to continue their turn around after winning their first game in five games last week, playing as guest of 15th-placed Legon Cities at the Accra Sports Stadium.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO:
The Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has disbursed GHS134,000 to 22 students under the latest round of his Scholarship and Bursaries Programme.
According to a statement from his office, the 22 beneficiaries are enrolled in 16 tertiary institutions across the country.
They are studying various courses, including medicine, marketing, law, public health, midwifery, business administration, education, and secretaryship.
The MP’s office commended the beneficiaries, especially the five students currently studying medicine and physician assistantship, encouraging them to remain committed to their studies.
The statement indicated that the scholarship initiative, which began in 2017, aims to support brilliant but needy students from the Ofoase Ayirebi Constituency to further their education. So far, about 700 students have benefited from the program.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Four tricycle operators, popularly known as ‘Pragya’, have been prosecuted and fined GH¢600 each equivalent to 50 penalty units by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court for obstructing public roads at the Agbogbloshie Market.
The offenders, who were arrested by Public Health Officers of the AMA during a routine enforcement exercise, pleaded guilty to the offence and were subsequently convicted by the court.
The four operators were among the 21 offenders recently arrested at the Agbogbloshie Market for various sanitation and public order violations, including selling on open drains, obstructing walkways, and trading at unauthorised locations.
Speaking after the court proceedings, the Head of Public Health at the AMA, Madam Florence Kuukyi, said the court was lenient with the offenders since it was their first appearance, hence the fine, and warned that subsequent offenders would face stiffer penalties, including imprisonment.
